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Prince William and Duchess Catherine to tour Germany and Poland

Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, will embark on a tour of Poland and Germany next month.
The royal couple – who have three-year-old son Prince George and two-year-old Princess Charlotte together – are set to complete a five-day tour of the two countries starting on July 17 and ending on July 21.
Although their exact engagements have not yet been confirmed, the pair will start their trip in Poland’s capital Warsaw and finish in the German city of Hamburg, with visits to Gdansk, Berlin, and Heidelberg in between.
It is thought the royal duo will leave their children at home, and according to the Daily Express newspaper, Kensington Palace declined to comment when asked if the two tots would accompany their parents.
They are making the overseas trip on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, in what is believed to be a way of maintaining Britain’s relationship with the European countries as it prepares to leave the European Union.
Prince William, 34, made a trip to the German city of Dusseldorf last year where he met with Chancellor Angela Merkel for the first time, and gave a speech about Britain’s "strong ties" with Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia.
During his lengthy speech – which was given just months after Britain voted to leave the EU – William spoke of the "genuine friendship" between the two places.
He said in part of his speech: "In short, what began 70 years ago as a relationship of necessity between an occupying power and a region in ruin, is today a partnership of genuine friendship and of massive mutual benefit.
"This partnership will continue despite Britain’s recent decision to leave the European Union. The depth of our friendship with Germany and with North Rhine-Westphalia will not change."
The visit next month will mark the first official trip to Germany for Catherine, 35, and the first ever royal tour of Poland on behalf of the government.
Kensington Palace said full details of the visit would be released at a later date.